Usefulness of the Intrarenal Resistivity Index As A Cardiovascular Risk Marker in Afro-Descendants: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide. Stratification of the risk of these diseases in asymptomatic patients using biomarkers can lead to early detection of patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease and promote the prevention of relevant events. The intrarenal resistivity index (IRI) is an imaging test that assesses renal perfusion, systemic hemodynamics, and atherosclerosis. It has been reported that changes in IRI are associated with morbidity and mortality in a population of patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The present study tested a hypothesis that IRI is associated with imaging biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in a population of Afro-descendants.
Methods: A total of 313 Afro-descendants with high cardiovascular risk were assessed using kidney ultrasound, Doppler echocardiography, carotid Doppler, and computed tomography to assess the calcium score. The individuals were divided into Group 1 with normal IRI and Group 2 with high IRI.
Results: The mean intrarenal resistivity index was 0.61 in group 1 and 0.71 in group 2, and the mean age was 56.9 years, with 53% being female. Group 2 had significantly greater left ventricular mass, larger left atrium, and a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (34.5% vs. 66.7%, p<0.0001). Group 2 also had a significantly higher frequency of carotid plaque (31% vs. 64%, p<0.001) as well as total coronary artery calcium score and higher frequency of high coronary artery calcium score (56.37 vs. 212.03, p<0.0001 and 24% vs. 50%, p<0.001, respectively). The presence of diastolic dysfunction with high left atrial pressure, coronary artery calcium score >0, and carotid plaque was independently associated with the intrarenal resistivity index.
Conclusions: The intrarenal resistivity index is associated with imaging biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, mainly with the coronary artery calcium score, diastolic dysfunction, and atherosclerotic carotid plaque in people of African descent, with high cardiovascular risk.
Figure 1
Posted 18 Dec, 2020
Usefulness of the Intrarenal Resistivity Index As A Cardiovascular Risk Marker in Afro-Descendants: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study
Posted 18 Dec, 2020
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil and worldwide. Stratification of the risk of these diseases in asymptomatic patients using biomarkers can lead to early detection of patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease and promote the prevention of relevant events. The intrarenal resistivity index (IRI) is an imaging test that assesses renal perfusion, systemic hemodynamics, and atherosclerosis. It has been reported that changes in IRI are associated with morbidity and mortality in a population of patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. The present study tested a hypothesis that IRI is associated with imaging biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in a population of Afro-descendants.
Methods: A total of 313 Afro-descendants with high cardiovascular risk were assessed using kidney ultrasound, Doppler echocardiography, carotid Doppler, and computed tomography to assess the calcium score. The individuals were divided into Group 1 with normal IRI and Group 2 with high IRI.
Results: The mean intrarenal resistivity index was 0.61 in group 1 and 0.71 in group 2, and the mean age was 56.9 years, with 53% being female. Group 2 had significantly greater left ventricular mass, larger left atrium, and a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (34.5% vs. 66.7%, p<0.0001). Group 2 also had a significantly higher frequency of carotid plaque (31% vs. 64%, p<0.001) as well as total coronary artery calcium score and higher frequency of high coronary artery calcium score (56.37 vs. 212.03, p<0.0001 and 24% vs. 50%, p<0.001, respectively). The presence of diastolic dysfunction with high left atrial pressure, coronary artery calcium score >0, and carotid plaque was independently associated with the intrarenal resistivity index.
Conclusions: The intrarenal resistivity index is associated with imaging biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, mainly with the coronary artery calcium score, diastolic dysfunction, and atherosclerotic carotid plaque in people of African descent, with high cardiovascular risk.
Figure 1